Reviews of Ongava Tented Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
155 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Ongava Tented Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
100% success
18% success
18% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
97% success
97% success
80% success
43% success
18% success
13% success
13% success
13% success
6% success
0% success
"Spectacular Camp"
The elephant even came to the pool to get a drink as we stand within 10 feet watching. Magnificent! The tent lodging itself was very comfortable with all the amenities you could want. Camp manager joined us for dinner the last night, a nice evening learning about her story.
Be prepared if you go in the summer there are a lot of moths. They are beautiful but love sugar, so they flock to red wine and drinks with sugar. Some guests found it annoying but it was all part of the experience. The staff do their best to mitigate by having beaded tops to put on glasses and by putting out balsamic vinegar to attract the moths away from the table." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia
"Amazing place to stay on Ongava Reserve"
The rooms are tented but comfortable. There's no air-conditioning but despite it being summer that wasn't really a problem. Laundry service was included which was helpful. The food was wonderful, best of our entire trip, and the service as we were around the camp was flawless. The only thing that didn't quite work was the dinner on our own veranda - since we had to have a guard whenever we were outside after dark it wasn't quite as intimate as might have been planned!
It was rainy season but we had no rain and not even much cloud; however there was standing water to be found, and lush undergrowth, which probably limited some of our animal sightings. Nevertheless we saw plenty of wildlife, including lions, and on two occasions we were able to get out of the truck to track rhino through the bush. We didn't see a leopard but heard that there were tracks around the camp in the morning. We didn't see many small animals as there were too many places to hide. We were told that this was low season due to the heat and lower likelihood of animal sightings, but I would consider this a fair trade-off for the peace and emptiness of the place.
While most of our excursions were on the Ongava property (which is clearly teeming with wildlife), we also did a trip to Entosha National Park. I wouldn't consider this a highlight as there were fewer animals around, but it gave us a great sense of the vastness of the region." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia
"Outstanding experience"
Lodge welcome was friendly, a real sense of enthusiasm evident among staff.
Facilities and activities explained clearly. We had an excellent guide - Tuli. We went on 3 game drives with him, he was very knowledgeable. He was able to drive around to provide good camera angles for us.
We appreciated the refreshments after the game drive, and the turn down service before bed time. It was great to have Michael, our rifle guide to escort us to our room.
The staff were friendly and engaged in conversations and discussions with us, not only about safari, but also about being a Namibian, personal lives, and worldly topics. This provided us with insights and enjoyable conversations.
The pool was looking a little green, so that had put us off swimming in it, however, the next day it was being cleaned. We got some cool photos of an elephant drinking from it so no worries!
The deck was a fabulous place to enjoy our refreshments and to view the wildlife.
It was great that there was a library there, we enjoyed browsing through the literature.
All of the food was tasty. In regards to snacks, perhaps there could be portion options - I realize that many Westerners go to Africa and enjoy the experience of a Safari and being waited upon, (and eating) but portions were often too big. One afternoon I just asked for some nuts with a beer and received Biltong, nuts, fruits etc - it was appreciated but . . . I just can't eat that much" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
In Etosha, I was fortunate enough to have a good siting of honey badgers, and the drive also produced other animals.
The location of the camp with its own water hole is great; even saw a black rhino at the water hole as well as elephants.
I would stress that given it is a reserve, guiding has to be inventive, and my guide Sven, certainly was able to do so." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
"Amazing"
The attention to detail here was second to none & even though we didn’t do as well with the wildlife spotting we thoroughly enjoyed it." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
Food good." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
"The most ecologically conscious lodge we saw"
Salomom did a great job in tracking the wild animals in the reserve; unfortunately he could not use his tracking skills in the Etosha park, because vehicles cannot leave the roads. Therefore staying in a private reserve was a definite plus." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
Great company so they organised for us to go to tented camp. Great staff, friendly and helpful.
Good drives, lots to see, good food." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 8n in Zambia; 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Best camp of the trip"
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